Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (Butterworth-Heinemann Homeland Security) [Paperback]

Kim S Haddow (Author), George Haddow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1856175545 | ISBN-13: 978-1856175548 | Publication Date: November 12, 2008 | Edition: 1

Communications is key to the success of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Accurate information disseminated to the general public, to elected officials and community leaders, and to the media reduces risk, saves lives and property, and speeds recovery. The ability to communicate is no longer an afterthought or a luxury; timely communication is now as important as logistics or the pre-deployment of materials. Planning and controlling the flow of information before, during and after a disaster will define your organization's credibility, trustworthiness, authority, and effectiveness.

The emergence of new media like the internet, e-mail, blogs, text messaging, cell phone photos, and the increasing role played by "first informers"-- witnesses who now have the ability to transmit information immediately from the event--are redefining the roles of government and media.

The government's historical role as gatekeeper is now an anachronism. Traditional media's role as the sole conduit of reliable and officially-sanctioned information has been eclipsed by the advent of new media. The tools and rules of communications are evolving and disaster communications must evolve to capitalize on these changes and exploit the opportunities they provide. Bloggers have the potential either to add to the chaos during a crisis, or to help convey accurate data and report on local conditions. Disaster communications must incorporate a way to manage their impact and if possible use them for the common good.

Finally, even though the means to the end are evolving, the goals, the values, and the underlying principles of effective disaster communication-- the need for transparency, increased accessibility, trustworthiness and reliability, and to create partnerships with the media--have not changed and need to be embraced along with the practical ability to convey information effectively.


* Applies the principles of emergency management to communications during a disaster
* Covers terrorist incidents, accidents, and natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes
* Shows how to use blogs, text messages, and cell phone cameras as well as government channels and traditional media to communicate during a crisis

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book defines the key elements of disaster communications with a focus on methods to achieve successful communications along with the principles that should carry the communications along."--Shannon Parker, St Louis University Institute for Biosecurity

"Although written for a government audience, this volume contains excellent, useful information readily adaptable to many of the media situations that frequently confront security practitioners.The authors write clearly and use checklists to facilitate understanding. In addition to the obvious crisis situations, the information provided is eminently useful in the development of a security supportive culture and awareness campaigns within an organization. Communicating the security message to our various audiences and earning their willing support and participation is essential to the success of a security organization. Given that most security professionals and police would rather walk into a dark alley searching for an armed felon than spend a minute in front of a camera and a microphone, this text is both necessary and timely."--Haddow Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World review in Security Management.com

About the Author

As the Sierra Club's National Communications Director, Kim Haddow oversees the Club's branding efforts, strategic communications planning, message development, and earned and paid media. Her duties include coordination and management of the Media Team, Sierra Magazine, the Web and Publishing Services Teams and Sierra Club Productions. Haddow joined the Sierra Club after working nine years as its media consultant and advertising agency. Other Haddow Communications, Inc., clients included the Apollo Project - a joint environmental/union initiative, Ocean Champions, Public Campaign, the National PTA, the U.S. State Department, the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, and The Trust for America's Health. Before starting her own business, Haddow worked for eight years at Greer, Margolis, Mitchell, Burns, winning a number of awards for her work - including a National Silver Anvil for Johnson and Johnson's National SAFEKIDS public relations campaign. Haddow began her career as an editor, reporter and ultimately news director for WWL-AM, a 24-hour all news station in New Orleans. While there, Haddow received more than 30 local, state and regional awards for her writing and reporting.

George Haddow currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management at The George Washington University, Washington, DC. Prior to joining George Washington University, Mr. Haddow worked for eight years in the Office of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the White House Liaison and the deputy Chief of Staff. In these positions, Mr. Haddow was involved in the day-to-day management of FEMA responsible for the Director's communications; policy formulation in the areas of disaster response, public/private partnerships, public information, environmental protection and disaster mitigation including the design and implementation of FEMA's national disaster mitigation initiative entitled Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities. As the Agency liaison with the White House for Presidential appointments to headquarters and FEMA regional positions, Mr. Haddow worked directly with the FEMA Director and the White House Office of Presidential Personnel in the recruitment and the hiring of all Presidential appointments at FEMA. He also managed FEMA's disaster management and mitigation projects in Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ecuador and the Bahamas and coordinated FEMA activities with Korea and South Africa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1 edition (November 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856175545
• ISBN-13: 978-1856175548
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #251,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Haddow is a Principal in the Washington, DC-based disaster management consulting firm of Bullock & Haddow LLC. He has worked on disaster management projects with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Good Harbor Consulting, Save the Children, The World Bank, the Global Partnership for Preparedness, FEMA, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the US Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Humane Society of the Untied States. Mr. Haddow serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He is the co-author of three university level textbooks including, "Introduction to Emergency Management: Fourth Edition." Mr. Haddow is the former Deputy Chief of Staff to James Lee Witt during his tenure as FEMA Director responsible for policy formulation in the areas of disaster response and recovery, public/private partnerships, public information, environmental protection and disaster mitigation. Mr. Haddow holds a BA from Washington College and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) from the University of New Orleans.